Da Balaia PORTUGAL

Excellent all inclusive.
I’ve been going for 20 years as a 4 day conference and 3 day extension as holiday.
The food has been up and down but this year was back as great as ever. 5 star but mass catering!
My family joined me and all enjoyed the facilities.
The Spa is expensive as is the child care club.
The Zen pool is a favourite. Beach, pool & tennis were great.
The entertainment can be a little noisy but the French really like it. There are indoor shows in the evenings in the hall if that is your thing.
The flying trapeze crew were a highlight & a 63 year old me got to do a catch from a hanging swing!
It’s expensive / correctly priced for an all inclusive with great food.
It’s a strong recommendation from me.

from arivakl to departure the staff put us at the front of their attention. enthustic and professional throughout the organisation. Great Kids club and entertainment. enjoyed the tennis coaching and aqua gm sessions.

Great 5-day family break. Weather was amazing. Beach fabulous. And the sporting facilities were just brilliant for our kids (and the adults). The hotels facilities, and in particular the bedrooms, are however very tired. We knew this in advance, and we paid a relatively low price, but it was still disappointing compared to other Club Med resorts we've visited.

Two adults and 11 and 10 yo. kids. First Club med experience. English speaking only.
We stayed a week.

Room: huge with adjoining spaces in refurbished quiet part of hotel with balconies. Spotlessly clean. Shampoo conditioner body wash moisturiser tea/coffee, water in room. Plenty towels if needed. very quiet from other guests.

Activities: Kids don't speak much French and didn't know anyone else however happy to go to kids clubs, some full days and some dropping in and out to come find us for meals etc. They LOVED circus skills, archery, golf, tennis, football, volleyball, teen beach/pool time, games etc. They enjoyed doing the show at the end of the week and performing in the theatre. Other kids helped translate during the games if the GOs were busy and they made friends easily by the pool and in the activities.

Adult activitites - Golf two days on a course with transfer. Really enjoyed. Brought own clubs. Gym quite small but has good selection of cardio and strength machines with some free weights and pulley machines. Cardio, pilates, yoga classes on daily just turn up. Tennis can just turn up and have a go with family on a free court. No booking. Volleyball, archery and circus just turn up at the times on the schedule and have a go. Really enjoyed all the ones we did.

Food: Ready varied selection of food. Grilled fish and meats, salad stuff both raw ingredients and huge made salads with rice/dressings etc. Plenty kid safe food without it being traditional nuggets and chips. Lots of fresh fruits and juices and healthy options. Coffee in the bar is good. Drinks in the bar nice and well made cocktails. Lots of choice of diner tables with sun/shade/inside kids area/terrace. Ate once in the a la carte restaurant which was a nice change.

Staff: The staff were all friendly and polite in a helpful genuine way but not overbearing. I think this was one of the real pluses. The GOs are energetic and were always kind and playful with the kids. The staff around the pool beach bars rooms etc and just getting on with doing a great job within fuss or hassle. Enough English from each member of staff for our purposes and more from the GOs for more rapport and longer chats. Also plenty friendly English speaking other guests to chat with. French speaking guests happy to interact in English and all very polite and friendly. No issues with rude guests noise etc

Weather around 26C in Scottish October holidays every day